5 day old silkie is dying (I think) :(

[Lunes]

Hello, I just got my very first chickens, 3 silkies. They got here Thursday and 2 were a tad bigger than the 3rd. The smaller one was definitely a little less active but eating and drinking electrolytes and the crumble is 100% small enough for them. Today I found the smallest one roughly 15 min after I last checked on them, stuck on its back in the corner (feeder was a little too close to the corner, I moved it after this)

I picked it up gently, put it back under the heater. It wouldn’t stand or walk by itself. Would flop to one side.

I thought maybe it had splay leg, so I used the bandaid trick and that didn’t work either. It simply has no energy…I tried to hold its beak for a second in the water bowl and it took some sips. There’s electrolytes in the water still. It’s doing this open and closing mouth thing now. It chirps sometimes in bursts, but eyes are closed and it’s just laying on its side. I think it’s going to die. I wish I could help it but all my poultry vets are closed today and I don’t know who else I can ask for advice


Thank you

 

[Lunes]

Just after I posted this, it died I feel so bad for the little tiny thing. Does anyone maybe have some advice for what I Could’ve done to prevent or help it if this happens to any of the others? Breaks my heart.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

My only advice is to keep Nutri-Drench on hand. It can help a struggling chick very quickly. Also you can mix a little warm water and egg yolk with their food to make a mush that they will often eat and which will give them a boost. Sometimes they just can't handle shipping stress or being moved from the store to the brooder, etc. That being said sometimes they just don't make it

 

[Lunes]

My only advice is to keep Nutri-Drench on hand. It can help a struggling chick very quickly. Also you can mix a little warm water and egg yolk with their food to make a mush that they will often eat and which will give them a boost. Sometimes they just can't handle shipping stress or being moved from the store to the brooder, etc. That being said sometimes they just don't make it

I am def gonna buy some of that, thank u so much. Are there any other medications/powders or useful things I should get for the future? The remaining two are strong and bigger than the one that didn’t make it. So hopefully they stay that way! I think maybe the one that died was just weaker from the get go and the shipping and everything might’ve just been too much for its tiny lil self to endure.

 

[Happy Hill Farmstead]

Just after I posted this, it died I feel so bad for the little tiny thing. Does anyone maybe have some advice for what I Could’ve done to prevent or help it if this happens to any of the others? Breaks my heart.

I am sorry . Last year we ordered three ducklings and nearly the exact same situation happened to us and we lost the smaller duckling when it got in the corner away from the heat for what was less than an hour (we don’t know the exact amount of time, but it wasn’t long) and we syringed electrolytes into it and warmed it, but it still died shortly after we found it. The best I could come up with was it was already weak and on the verge of dying anyway, but when it got chilled it just couldn’t recover. I was worried that we would lose the other two as well, but we didn’t. They continued to grow and thrive and are now prospering adults. I have said all of this to let you know that you most likely did nothing wrong, this chick was already weak and unfortunately we can’t keep them with us 24/7 and things are going to happen that are out of our hands. Don’t let this discourage you and love on those two healthy chicks. I hope they grow up happy and healthy for you! I am a new chicken owner so this is the only advice that I have for you, I hope it helps and I am sure there will be other more experienced bird breeders that may have some advice for both us .

 

[Lunes]

I am sorry . Last year we ordered three ducklings and nearly the exact same situation happened to us and we lost the smaller duckling when it got in the corner away from the heat for what was less than an hour (we don’t know the exact amount of time, but it wasn’t long) and we syringed electrolytes into it and warmed it, but it still died shortly after we found it. The best I could come up with was it was already weak and on the verge of dying anyway, but when it got chilled it just couldn’t recover. I was worried that we would lose the other two as well, but we didn’t. They continued to grow and thrive and are now prospering adults. I have said all of this to let you know that you most likely did nothing wrong, this chick was already weak and unfortunately we can’t keep them with us 24/7 and things are going to happen that are out of our hands. Don’t let this discourage you and love on those two healthy chicks. I hope they grow up happy and healthy for you! I am a new chicken owner so this is the only advice that I have for you, I hope it helps and I am sure there will be other more experienced bird breeders that may have some advice for both us .

Ahhhhh thank you, that made me feel better honestly! I think you’re prob totally right I think it might have gotten chilled being away from the heater for even a small amount of time and that was just enough to kill it unfortunately. So sad! But I know these things happen. Thank you

 

[Happy Hill Farmstead]

Ahhhhh thank you, that made me feel better honestly! I think you’re prob totally right I think it might have gotten chilled being away from the heater for even a small amount of time and that was just enough to kill it unfortunately. So sad! But I know these things happen. Thank you

Oh good I am glad. You are very welcome! Raising animals is very rewarding, but can also be heartbreaking. The rewards always outweigh the sadness though. Keep going and snuggle those chickies!

 

[LhickenChicken]

I'm sorry. I hatched 20 chicks and I would have had 21 chickies but one Died In Shell(DIS).
I have gotten through so far with no losses but good fortune with your future chicks!!!

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

I am def gonna buy some of that, thank u so much. Are there any other medications/powders or useful things I should get for the future? The remaining two are strong and bigger than the one that didn’t make it. So hopefully they stay that way! I think maybe the one that died was just weaker from the get go and the shipping and everything might’ve just been too much for its tiny lil self to endure.

I always keep some corid on hand because any time I introduce new birds or when pullets are starting out on new soil there is a risk of cocci overload and since I lost a hen to it I keep it around just in case. Once I had covid and my new hens had bloody poop and a friend had to get some for me so I just make sure I have some. There are lots of useful first aid things to have on hand but nutri drench and corid are top of my list.

 

[Eggcessive]

Sorry for your loss. The chick may have suffered from shipping stress. Check for any pasty butt (stuck poop blocking the vent opening.) Make sure the other 2 are drinking and eating well.